Stereo Console Power Supply Issues

[MaximumHiFi]

Hi Everyone!

I recently got a Magnavox stereo console to upgrade off of Facebook Marketplace. I checked it out in person, and the console turns on and can very poorly play AM/FM radio, which seemed like good signs of an excellent base to work off of.

I took it to an audio shop to get checked out and looking at upgrading, however they ran into an issue. They said the power supply unit is shot, and replacing it would be not worth it.

They recommended going to a specialist or finding a different console with a working power supply.

Is there a way to swap the power supply that is worth-while? Is there possibly another issue they aren't considering?

It's currently at the shop still but can get some more info if y'all need. Thanks for the help!

 

[redk9258]

Why wouldn't they repair the power supply? I'd find another shop.

 

[ToxicTele]

When you say power supply, I'm assuming the main transformer. Did they even take voltage readings? If the unit turns on I doubt if the tranny is bad.

 

[gadget73]

Agree, if it works at all its pretty unlikely to have any fatal flaw. "power supplies" in these things tend to be pretty simple, transformer, rectifiers, couple of caps. Nothing in these things tend to be very complicated, its just old.


Can you get the chassis numbers off the stuff inside to see if a schematic can be found?

 

[OBMG74]

They recommended going to a specialist or finding a different console with a working power supply.

First of all, welcome to AK.
Beautiful console.

Wondering if your tech isn't familiar with tube equipment if he is recommending "a specialist"?

As Gadget suggested, these aren't complicated and are well worth the effort.

Probably need to find the right tech.
Somehow...

 

[gadget73]

Is it late tube or very early solid state? Kinda in that transition period and Magnavox went solid state earlier than some. I don't see "Solid State" on it anywhere though, usually that was a bragging point. I see FM stereo and it doesn't have the Civil Defense marks so '62 or later. I think Magnavox was solid state by '65 or '66.

If its tube those are real easy to deal with.

 

[Lavane]

I ran into a hybrid Magnavox console in a thrift shop a few years ago.
It had a SS amplifier and a tube tuner/preamp. It didn't say SS or Astrosonic on it anywhere. I popped the back off to see what it was.

 

[raycarr00]

lol! I thought I was the only one going around popping backs off of old consoles... could definitely be a hybrid. but, then, it's still repairable. how about popping the back off and giving us a peek.....

 

[Lavane]

lol! I thought I was the only one going around popping backs off of old consoles... could definitely be a hybrid. but, then, it's still repairable. how about popping the back off and giving us a peek.....

Nope. I don't want to take home any "pets" that might be biding inside.

 

[wparks]

I see no mention of "solid state" anywhere, so I assume it's a tube unit. I agree- your shop is "punting" as they don't work on tube equipment. Upload some pictures of the amplifier chassis and radio chassis- The chassis numbers are typically either on paper tags glued to the side of the chassis, or black ink-stamp. We need to pull up a schematic which will be based upon the chassis numbers. You can get lucking finding Sams on ebay or the like, and it all starts from those chassis #s.

Welcome to AK.